Mary Murphy Mine Site – Underground Mine Rehabilitation
Client: Colorado Division of Minerals & Geology
Location: St. Elmo, Colorado, United States

MES completed three summer seasons of underground mine rehabilitation for the Colorado DMG, ending in the late fall of 2000. The EPA and USFS-funded project involved re-opening the collapsed tunnel workings in an underground gold mine in a very remote, high elevation site above St. Elmo, Colorado.

The work was for the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility of installing underground water control and/or diversion mechanisms to limit acid and metals releases from the mine. On the 1400 level, MES cleaned up areas of fallen ground to facilitate access for water sampling On the 700 level reopening and the support of a portal through a 60′ long talus zone were required, as well as installation of track and utilities, extensive re-timbering and recovery of the tunnels in areas of fallen ground. This high-visibility project required extensive public contact on a daily basis as hikers passed through the work area.